However, constant bit rates are not optimal as they waste valuable data bits encoding simple sections of audio, and conversely may not use sufficient data bits on more complex audio passages, resulting in poorer audio quality during these sections.

When choosing which bit rate to use for your podcast or MP3 track, you really need to go for the highest bit rate possible, while retaining reasonable file sizes and practical download times.Īccepting the fact that you need to choose the highest practical bit rate you can, which option should you go for next (assuming your encoding software gives you the option) constant or variable bit rates? Constant Bit RatesĬonstant Bit Rates ( CBR) are pretty much as their name suggests, where one fixed, or constant bit rate is used for the entire file or track. However, higher bit rates will always lead to larger file sizes,which in turn lead directly to longer download times and require more storage space. In essence, higher bit rates give improved audio quality, no matter whether variable or constant bit rates are used. If you’re not familiar with bit rates, then my previous post on What are bit rates? should point you in the right general direction and help to get you started. What then are the relative pros and cons that may affect your choice of type of bit rate to use? Introducing yet another variable into the equation, that of constant or variable bit rates, only serves to confuse the situation even further. On the one hand, higher bit rates ( variable or constant) give improved audio quality, whilst on the other they lead to bigger file sizes. So, what are the pros and cons of these constant and variable bit rates?Ĭhoosing a bit rate for a podcast, or an MP3 track, is a bit of a balancing act at the best of times. However, like most things in life, nothing is simple and we can further complicate the whole bit rate discussion with variable and constant bit rates. By now you’ve probably heard of the term “bit rate” used in connection with MP3 tracks and podcasts, you may even know that higher bit rates give better quality audio.

Mp3 variable to fixed bitrate converter